ARARAT – The opportunity for Ararat
producers to export Halal certified grain, meat and other products to
Brunei is about to move a step closer.

The Religious Council of
Brunei is soon expected to authorise commencement of a Halal
accreditation process for interested Australian companies wanting to be
a part of the global Brunei Halal Brand.

Regional Development
Victoria will begin assisting Victorian companies to be part of the
Brunei Halal Brand, which will include interested businesses from the
Ararat region.

This process will involve desk audits by RDV and where required, visits to factories to see procedures.

It is planned to launch the brand products at the Brunei Halal Expo in August this year.

A
delegation from Ararat Rural City Council travelled to Brunei last year
to attend the expo, during which a Memorandum of Understanding was
signed between former Mayor Cr Ian Wilson and the Sultan of Brunei in
the first step towards the export program.

Local producers also made up the delegation, with one producer also signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Sultan.

According
to the World Halal Forum 2006, the Halal industry is worth US $560
billion annually, with Halal food accounting for US $150 billion
annually. The estimated growth for Halal food spending annually is
about two percent.

There are 1.8 billion people of the Muslim
faith in the world. With concern increasing among Muslim religious
leaders that a rising proportion of food may not be genuine Halal,
Brunei is leading this opportunity to develop a widely recognised
global brand.

Ararat Rural City CEO Steve Chapple said Council
was currently liaising with a number of regional producers and
processors who were interested in being part of the Brunei Halal Brand.

“Council’s
delegation to Brunei last’ year, part of the Regional Development
Victoria facilitated sales mission, was successful in raising the
profile of Ararat’s regional produce and processing capabilities,” Mr
Chapple said.

“Council is keen to assist interested local businesses throughout the Halal accreditation process and beyond.

“For
our region to be part of such a prestigious global brand would be a
huge coup for our local economy and dramatically raise the profile of
the region.”

As part of the Halal Expo last year Council
showcased regional produce, forged relations with other international
food producers, buyers and sellers and learned more about the global
Halal market.

The region’s grain, prime lambs, cattle and emu
products, olive, lavender and herb products were promoted as well as
the significant opportunities for live sheep export and/or Halal
accredited packaged meat export.

For further information about the Halal accreditation contact Mr Chapple on 5355 0200.